Posts Tagged "celebrate"

“I know dance is good medicine for me at these times. Especially at these times.” – Cate Laurier I started my dance “career” as a dancing chipmunk in an elementary school production of The Sound of Music. That was because I didn’t get selected for the chorus, which is what I’d really craved. After recovering from the disappointment, I found myself backstage in a precocious moment of Zen clarity. I chose to dive in fully.“Well gosh darn, I’ll be the best dancing chipmunk I can possibly be”. I danced my heart out. It was exhilarating. What I learned in my 15 seconds of fame is the power of presence. It’s a lesson I find myself needing to return to time and time again. Dance is one of the places I feel most at home. Dance is a way to be with myself. It’s a powerful path to connect and transform. Putting on a high energy song can instantly change my mood. Sometimes astonishingly. But not always. Dance is also where I meet some of my “gnarly knots”. I can’t always look to dance as an escape or instant energy boost or way to transcend troubles. It’s not always about flying high. Sometimes, vexingly, it’s a place to meet myself in all my messiness. And it can feel very tempting to run away from that! I know dance is good medicine for me at these times. Especially at these times. I don’t always take it. I love exhilaration as much as anyone. But sometimes I need to dive deep into the turbulent river or stagnant waters. Trust the power of transformation. The invitation to being present in dance is a funny paradox. Dance with where I’m at, no matter where I’m at. AND trust the power of transformation. But don’t DEMAND it. I need to hear my own soul words inside and really take them to heart: “Come, come, whoever you are, however you are, bring your joy, bring your struggle, bring your power, bring your tenderness, bring your weariness, bring your energy, bring your playfulness, bring your tears. All are welcome here.” By: Cate Laurier (Cate Laurier is a member of the Source Centre community and loves to dance and explore inner landscapes. She facilitated the June Monthly Groove dance party.)...

(Image: Trees_and_Shrubs_g75-Sunbeam_In_The_Forest / FreeDigitalPhotos.net) As we kick off a fresh new year and make new resolutions after all the holiday parties of 2012 have come to an end, let’s take a moment to ponder and celebrate this wonderful thing called life. Life, ah yes, a word to describe our vibrancy, motivations, births, deaths, daily happenings and special occasions. A daydreamer myself, I often have fleeting thoughts on the purpose of life that captivate me for seconds before my mind is entranced by other thoughts… So what do you want from this life? Are you living to your full potential? Are you taking time to enjoy the wonders of nature? Are you thankful for all the blessings you have? Are you taking care of your body like a temple? Are you striving for your goals and dreams? Do you love what you do? Are you doing something for YOU every single day? Life is so short. Enjoy every moment. Keep your head up and smile bright. And always, always remember to express your love for others and especially love for yourself! Wishing you a very happy, extraordinarily captivating and amazing new year ahead. Yours in health, Dr. Anita Rajan p.s. Need some help with your New Year’s or Life resolutions? We’d love to help you get started on those here at Source Centre...